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Navigating downtown Cleveland: Parking, public transit and more for Saturday's events

Browns-fumble

Want to avoid a fumble on Saturday night? Leave early and plan to stay late if you're heading to downtown Cleveland, where there will be games at all three pro-sports facilities. These resources should help make your night easier. As for what happens on the field? We can't make any promises.
(John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer)

That sounds like a crowd, but there's no need to panic over finding a parking spot, although there will be sticker shock the closer you want to park to a venue. One lot near Quicken Loans Arena this morning posted a $50 charge. Another a block away wanted $25.

Gina Morris of the Downtown Cleveland Alliance notes, "We have nearly 125,000 people that work in downtown. So it's great that we're having 100,000 people downtown on a Saturday night, but we kind of do this every day. It's nothing that's too crazy for us."

So shake off the Internet-induced hysteria. And if you're planning a night out, consider a little preparation. Here are a few resources that should make navigating the center city simpler:

CARS: Scroll down for The Plain Dealer's interactive map of downtown parking lots and garages. The map shows publicly accessible facilities in the central business district, and nearby, based on Plain Dealer research. Check the box next to any of the listed attractions, such as FirstEnergy Stadium or Quicken Loans Arena, and you'll see which parking options fall within 500 feet, a quarter of a mile and half a mile of your destination.

View full sizeTwo of RTA's free trolley lines - the 'C' and the 'L' - run on weekends.RTA

The map does not include parking rates, which vary widely based on the time of day and the downtown events schedule.

Looking to save some cash? Your best bet is to park at a more far-flung surface lot and either walk or take public transportation, such as the Greater Regional Transit Authority's free C-Line trolley, which runs until 11 p.m. (The L-Line trolley, also free, runs until 5:30 p.m.)

Don't expect to park on East Ninth Street, Ontario Street, sections of Lakeside Avenue and parts of Prospect Avenue. The city announced Thursday that it will ban parking on those streets in an effort to prevent traffic delays.

Those parking closures, indicated by signs and bagged parking meters, are on top of the typical game-day parking bans on the streets surrounding Progressive Field.

PUBLIC TRANSIT: RTA is boosting Rapid train service Saturday to cater to crowds. The transit authority typically adds extra runs on its Waterfront Line tracks, which runs to FirstEnergy Stadium, on game days. Spokeswoman Mary McCahon Shaffer said RTA also will increase the frequency of its Red, Blue and Green Line trains on Saturday afternoon.

"One of the biggest problems we encounter with Browns games in particular is that everyone wants to go at the same time and everyone wants to leave at the same time," she said. "This is not a good transportation plan. Whether you're taking public transportation or not, you don't want to leave at the last minute because everyone does the same thing."

The Indians will face the Houston Astros starting at 7:05 p.m. The Cleveland Gladiators are scheduled to kick off ArenaBowl XXVII against the Arizona Rattlers at 8 p.m., just as the Browns start their game against the St. Louis Rams. Rest assured, Shaffer said, that RTA trains will be running for at least an hour after the games - even if one of those events drags on past typical Rapid hours.

If you're parking at an RTA lot and taking the train in, you'll want to arrive early to grab a spot. If you're a frequent commuter, consider taking your usual bus route into downtown. And if you're new to public transit, visit RTA's website for bus, train and trolley schedules. Or call (216)-621-9500 to talk to someone at RTA and get help planning your trip.

"We're ready, and we just hope people heed the warning of come early and stay late," Shaffer said. "And if you have questions, ask."

One last note: An all-day RTA pass is $5 - much cheaper than a $20 parking spot.

BIKES: If you're traveling downtown on two wheels, you can find bicycle parking at all three major sports venues

For people attending daytime events, there's secure, indoor parking at the Bike Rack, a bicycle station at 2148 East Fourth St., just north of The Q. A day pass is $5, and an attendant will be on-site from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. After that, parking is restricted to Bike Rack members, who have round-the-clock keycard access.

YOUR FEET: Once you're downtown, the cheapest form of transportation is worth considering. Hoofing it from the eastern edge of the central business district to the Warehouse District might take you a half-hour. Walking between most attractions doesn't take more than 15 minutes.

And, hey, it's a free workout.

If you get lost, look for one of the downtown alliance's ambassadors, recognizable by their yellow shirts. They're on duty 18 hours a day, and they'll help you find your destination.

Do you have other questions about navigating downtown? Let us know in the comments, and we'll try to get answers for you.

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Locations in the map below are approximate. Click the checkboxes to show distance circles at 500 feet, a quarter mile and half a mile. Mobile users click here.

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